Summerhall August Festival 2013

Artist Kate Mackay of Alchemy Arts has worked with children from Scotland and Asia to create an art work that comprises of hundreds of haikus written on the backs of silk cut-outs of swallows.

The haikus have been written by the children, who were asked to imagine cities around the world as seen through the eyes of swallows. Ideas of travelling, perception, perspective and imagination were explored through numerous workshops at these schools and community centres in three countries.

Journey of a Thousand Wings will be in Summerhall from the 2nd-25th August.

This is the moment that the plastic bag begins its own life! An ethereal and magical performance art piece, accompanied by the music of Debussy to create an experience of true wonder. A piece performed by ‘plastic dancers’, propelled by currents of air to lyrical music: l'Après-midi d'un Foehn transports the viewer to a world where the laws of gravity no longer exist and boundless adventures await. A beautiful journey that ignites the imagination. This is the UK debut of the much acclaimed Company Non Nova.

A nightmare? Or maybe a game? A Story of a Man and His Shadow is many things: a black and white cartoon, a silent movie with two real actors, a kooky and highly entertaining show. Watch as a man, his faithful balloon, and a mischievous figure dressed in black fight it out in a white square, an imaginary room made of invisible bricks. A silent show with a live music soundtrack.

Cinderella is full of irony, dance and theatrical images: an expressionistic stepmother beyond belief manipulating her daughters as puppets, a peculiar prince charming, and a meeting of two solitudes. An inviting show with unusual tones, a fun and amusing childhood classic, adapted for a contemporary audience that will also speak to parents and grandparents. Cinderella is an Italian success story of the current theatrical season.

An impossible attempt to bring the whole universe into a theatre and into our understanding, using a tennis ball, a wastepaper basket and a dash of theatrical invention. Iain Johnstone’s passionate solo performance about the relationship between humanity and the heavens is full of facts and awkward questions.

Hop on board and discover UnLeashed: a seafaring journey, an adventure with no words: just light, sound and action. A trip for little ones over waves of sound, as cleverly manipulated chains play centre stage in an experience of metamorphosis, discovery and enchantment. A multi-sensory exploration of our link with the world and others, presented by ScarlattineTeatro (shortlisted for a Total Theatre Award and Pick of the Fringe 2009)!

A unique playroom performance, Innocence invites 0-7 year olds (and their adults), to explore the world of William Blake’s imagination. Together with Scottish Dance Theatre’s captivating dancers, join us on a magical theatrical journey full of song, dance and play with live music by Paul Bradley. Innocence is a wonderful dance experience for young ones, their families and friends.

A drama about telling big lies and small truths. About pigs that fall in love. About crows that talk. About fish that fall from the sky. About running away and finding yourself. The story of a 10 year-old boy on the edge – literally on the roof of his school – confronted by a situation that seems hopeless. He can either give up or fight. Internationally award winning Titus is one of Europe’s most successful plays for young people.

24583 is a gothic tale about diversity and freedom achieved through self acceptance that will delight children and adults of all ages with its dark and dreamy atmosphere. Inspired by Tim Burton, this is a physical theatre show for three actors and twenty balloons where choreography (Scottish Dance Theatre), video and narration are enhanced by rhyme.

Come and discover the eccentric history of Marta’s family! Winner Best Italian Dramaturgy, Eolo Awards 2013, The Red Bike is a story that addresses contemporary realities. Marta’s family make a living by putting toys inside chocolate eggs but their lives are complicated by Mister Moneybags, the villainous ‘owner of everything’(!), of the chocolate egg factory and of the house and also of the moon and the stars. But Marta and her family have a plan...

A cross-cultural collaboration between Scottish-based community arts group Alchemy Arts and Chinese community theatre group Hua Dan. The bringing together of diverse communities through the sharing of art, stories and culture. A series of interactive creative arts workshops, using the arts to respond to and investigate the world around us. Each workshop will involve collaborative elements, explorative play through art as well as creating beautiful original artworks to take home.